International Journal of Agricultural

Science and Research (IJASR)

ISSN(P): 2250-0057; ISSN(E): 2321-0087
Vol. 5, Issue 4, Aug 2015, 99-104
TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

INFLUENCE OF SEED SIZE ON SEED YIELD AND QUALITY IN DESI AND KABULI
CHICKPEA VARIETIES
GNYANDEV, B., M. B. KURDIKERI & P. M. SALIMATH

National Academy of Agricultural Research Management Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India

ABSTRACT
The field studies were conducted to ascertain the influence of four seed size groups (Small, medium, big and bulk)
on seed yield and quality in three Desi (A-1, Bheema and BGD-103) and two Kabuli (ICCV-2 and KAK-2) chickpea
varieties during rabi seasons of 2007 and 2008 at the department of Seed Science and Technology, University of
Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. The study revealed tat big, medium and bulk seeds of each Desi and Kabuli varieties
resulted in higher plant height, number of branches, pods per plant, test weight, seed yield, germination and other seed
quality parameters compared to small seeds. Among desi verities. Bheem and BGD-103 recorded more seed yield (34.14
and 34.72 q/ha) respectively, while A-1 recorded less (2956 q/ha) yield. Between kabuli types KAK-2 recorded more
(32.73 q/ha) seed yield compared to ICCV-2 (27.66). The interaction effect to varieties and seed size was non-significant
on most of the plant growth, seed yield and quality parameters.

KEYWORDS: Seed Testing, Seed Size on Growth, Chickpea

INTRODUCTION
In most of the field crops, seed size is one of the most important aspects of seed quality and its influence on field
performance and yield is positively related. The concept of seed size on field performance has been a subject of study by
several scientists in maize (Kdikeri, 1991), in sorghum (Dighe and Patil, 1986), in pigeonea (Verma andBajpai, 2002), but
their findings are found conflicting. In Asia, India is the largest producer of chickpea contributing over 70 percent of the
world production occupying an area of 7.49 million hectares with production of 6.33 million tones and with productivity in
seed size. The Kabuli Chickpea varieties are generally bigger in size while, Desi varieties are smaller in size. Within the
chickpea types seeds also vary much with respect to size and test weight and as such size grading for different varieties
seems to be inevitable. Presently irrespective of chickpea varieties 11.75 (R) top and 4.75 (R) to 6.00 (R) sieves are used
for grading of seeds. IT has been well documented that in large seeded crops size grading found to have no beneficial
influence on field performance since bulk seeds were found to yield equally as that of small, medium and big seeds (Verma
and Bajpai, 2002 and Tuba, 2009).
In this context, a field study was conducted on influence of seed size in different Kabuli and desi chickpea
varieties on seeds yield and quality in department of seed science and technology, University of Agricultural Sciences
Dharwad during 2007-08.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The seeds of Kabuli varieties viz., KAK-2 and ICCV-2 and Desi varieties viz. A-1, Bheema and BGD-103 were
sieve graded using different sieve sizes as small (G1), medium (G2), big (G3) and bulk (G4). Seeds of Kabuli varieties
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Gnyandev, B., M. B. Kurdikeri & P . M. Salimath

were sieve graded using 7.0, 8.0 and 9.0 mm round sieves and Desi varieties were sieve graded using 6.40, 7.0 and 7.5 for
A-1 and 6.80, 7.50 and 8.0 mm round sieves as small, medium and big seeds respectively along with ungraded as bulk. The
seeds of different grades were sown by dibbling in 30 cm rows at 15cm intra row spacing in well prepared seed plots of
2.25 x 1.50 m gross plots with 1.65 x 1.20 m net plots during rabi seasons of 2007 and 2008. The recommended does of
fertilizer (20:50:00 kg NPK/ha) was applied as basal dose for each plots in the form of urea and diammonium phosphate at
the time of sowing. Soon after sowing plots were lightly irrigated. The necessary after care operations such as thinning,
hand weeding, inter cultivation and need based plant protection measures were carried out. The plots were irrigated four
times during seed crop period. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with factorial concept in three replications. The field
observations n plant growth at harvest, number of branches per plant, number of branches per plant, number of pods per
plants, seeds per pods and seed yield per hectare were recorded. The seed quality parameters viz., 100 seed weight,
germination percentage, vigour index (germination (%) x seedling length) and electrical conductivity were recorded by
adopting ISTA Rules (Anon., 1996).

RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS

It is a well established fact that plant growth, seed yield and yield parameters and seed quality depend largely on
genetic make of a variety and also on environmental factors.
Varietal Influence
In the present study Kabuli and Desi chickpea varieties found to differ in growth, seed yield and seed quality
parameters. The plant height at harvest was found to differ significantly among seed size groups irrespective of chickpea
varities. In desi types maximum plant height (53.93 and 53.44 cm) was recorded in Bheema and BGD-103 and minimum
(46.13 cm) in A-1. The plant height of Kabuli types were in between of Desi Types. On the contrary number of branches
were maximum (23.52) in A-1 followed by Beema and BGD-103 of desi types and were minimum (19.77 and 21.30) in
ICCV-2 and KAK-2 varieties belonging to Kabuli types. The differences in plant height and number of branches noticed
among chickpea varieties may be due to differences in their genetic makeup and their field performance ability in relation
to environmental factors.
The seed yield is a function of number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, test weight of seed etc.,
irrespective of seed size, the seed yield per hectare was more (34.72 q) in BGD-103 followed by Bheema (34.14 q) Desi
varities and was less (27.66 g) in ICCV-2 Kabuli variety. The higher seed yield notices with Bheema and BGD-103 may be
due to higher test weight (38.65 and 38.40 g) respectively. It was closely followed by KAK -2 of Kabuli variety. The
differences in seed yield noticed may be due to differences in number of pod per plant, test weight of seeds etc., as these
traits are mainly under genetic control (Kurdikeri, 1991, Merwade, 2000).
The seed quality parameters such as germination, vigour index were higher with lower vigour index, electrical
conductivity in all the chickpea varieties. However, these traits were relatively higher in Bheema and BGD-103 Desi
chickpea varieties followed by KAK-2 and ICCV -2 Kabuli varieties.
Seed Grade Influence
Seed size per se indicates that big seeds with high initial capital of food reserves germinate early, grow vigorously
and produce higher yields (Styeret al., 1980). Generally, big and medium seeds perform better in field compared to small

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Influence of Seed Size on Seed Yield and Quality in Desi and Kabuli Chickpea Varieties

seeds. On the contrary, Khare and Satpute (1999) in pigeonpea reported that small and medium seeds were better in
germination and mobilization efficiency than big seeds. While, Tube (2009) did no notice an influence of seed size on
growth and yield in chickpea. Hence, seed size per se is still a controversial issue and research needs to be carried out in
chickpea varieties of Desi and Kabuli type as they vary widely in seed size. Further the field performance ability largely
depends on genetic makeup and environmental influences.
In the present study, irrespective of varieties, seed size groups showed differences in plant growth, seed yield and
yield parameters. The plant height at harvest among seed size groups ranged between 49.67 cm in small seeds to 52.43 cm
in big seeds. Similarly, the number of branches at harvest ranged between 20.13 in small seeds to 23.51 in big seeds. The
seed yield parameters such as number of pods per plant were more (55.47) in big seeds followed by medium (54.81) and
bulk (54.40 and were more (55.47) in big seeds followed by medium (54.81) and bulk (54.40 and were less (51.93) in
small seed group. Similarly, test weight of seed among seed size groups followed the same trend were in big medium and
bulk seeds recorded relatively more (33.58, 33.19 and 32.82 g) respectively and was less (32.08g) test weight in small seed
size group. Since the final seed yield per hectare is a function of yield traits, it was higher (33.11 q) in big seeds followed
by medium (32.05) and bulk (31.37 q) and lower (30.52 q) in small seeds. The present study indicted that plant growth,
seed yield parameters and seed yield were always more in big, medium and bulk seeds and less in small seeds and the
results are similar to seed size per se concept and are also in conformity with the reports of Bhoret al. (1988), vermaet al.
(2005) in bengalgram. All the seed quality parameters were higher in big, medium and bulk seeds compared to small seeds
and the results are in conformity with the earlier reports of Shashidharaet al. (19870, Verma and Bajpai (2002).
Interaction Influence
The interaction effects of varieties and seed size category shown non-significant influence on plant height,
number of branches, number of pods per plant, test weight, seed yield trait and seed qulity parameters indicating the
advantage high food reserves contributing towards higher germination in the fields, vigourous growing seedlings with
more number of pod bearing branches. Similar beneficial influence of big seed have been reported by Shashidharet
al.(1987) in cowpea and Verma and Bajpai (2002) in pigeon pea.
From the results of the present investigation it may be concluded that, big medium and bulk seeds of Desi and
Kabuli varieties may be used for planting to obtain higher seed yield with better quality seeds.

REFERENCES
1.

Anonymous, 1999, International Rules for Seed Testing. Seed Sci. and Technol., 27. (Suppl.). p. 175.

2.

Anonymous, 2009, Agriculture Centre for monitoring Indian Economy, Economic Intelligence Service, Andheri
(East), Mumbai, (www.cmie.com.).

3.

Bhor, S. B., Thete, R. Y., Patil, R. B. and Bharud, R. W., 1988, Effect of seed size on growth, yield attributes and
seed quality of gram. Seed Res., 16(2): 143-145.

4.

Dighe, R. S. and Patil, V. N., 1986, Effect of seed size on germination vigour and yield in CSH-1. Seed Res., 14 :
244-247.

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Gnyandev, B., M. B. Kurdikeri & P . M. Salimath

5.

Khare, D. and Satpute, R. G., 1999, Influence of days to maturity and seed size on germination and seedling
vigour in pigeonpea. Seed Res., 27(2): 170-173.

6.

Kurdikeri, M. B., 1991, Studies on seed quality in hybrid maize (Zea mays L.). Ph.D Thesis, Univ. of Agric. Sci.,
Bangalore (India).

7.

Kurdikeri, M. B., 1991, Studies on seed quality in hybrid maize (Zea mays L.). Ph.D Thesis, Univ. of Agric. Sci.,
Bangalore (India).

8.

Merwade, M. N., 2000, Investigations on seed production techniques and storability of chickpea (Cicerasitirum
L.). Ph.D. Thesis, Univ. of Agric. Sci., Dharwad, Karnataka (India).

9.

Shashidhar, S. D., Vyakaranahal, B. S. and Narayana Swami, S., 1987, Effect of size grading on seed quality of
cowpea. Seed Res., 15(2) : 214-215.

10. Styer, R. C., Contiffe, D. J. and Hannah, L. C., 1980, Differential seed and seedling vigour in Shrunker-2
compared to three other genotypes of corn at various stages of development. J. American Soc., Hort. Sci., 105:
329-331.
11. Tuba Bicer, B., 2009, The effect of seed size on yield and yield components of chickpea and lentil. African J. of
Biotechnol.,8(8) : 1482-1487.
12. Verma, S. K. and Bajpai, G. C., 2002, Effect of seed size on stability for yield and associated traits in pigenopea.
Seed Res., 25(3): 202-204.
13. Verma, S. K. and Bajpai, G. C., 2002, Effect of seed size on stability for yield and associated traits in pigenopea.
Seed Res., 25(3): 202-204.
14. Verma, S. K., Bajpai, G. C., Tewari, S. K. and Singh, J., 2005, Seedling index and yield as influenced by seed size
in pigeonpea. Legume Res., 28(2): 143-145.

APPENDICES
Table 1: Effect of Seed Size on Plant Height, Number of Branches and Number of Pods Per
Plant in Chickpea Varieties

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NAAS Rating: 3.53

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Influence of Seed Size on Seed Yield and Quality in Desi and Kabuli Chickpea Varieties

NS- Non Significant

Varieties (V)
Seed size (G)
V1- A-1
G1- Small
V2- ICCV-2
G2- Medium
V3- KAK-2
G3- Big
V4- Bheema
G4- Bulk
V5- BGD -103
Table 2: Effect of Seed Size on Seed Yield per Plant, per Plot and per Hectare in Chickpea Genotypes

NS- Non Significant

V1- A-1

V2- ICCV-2

V3- KAK-2

G1- Small

G2- Medium

G3- Big

V4- Bheema

V5- BGD -103

G4- bulk

Table 3: Effect of Seed Size on Hundred Seed Weight, Germination Percentage and Seedling Dry Weight in
Chickpea Genotype

NS- Non Significant

V1- A-1

V2- ICCV-2

V3- KAK-2

G1- Small

G2- Medium

G3- Big

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V4- Bheema

V5- BGD -103

G4- Bulk

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Gnyandev, B., M. B. Kurdikeri & P . M. Salimath

Table 4.Effect of Seed Size on Electrical Conductivity in Chickpea Varieties

NS- Non Significant

Varieties (V)
Seed size (G)
V1- A-1
G1- Small
V2- ICCV-2
G2- Medium
V3- KAK-2
G3- Big
V4- Bheema
G4- Bulk
V5- BGD -103

Impact Factor (JCC): 4.7987

NAAS Rating: 3.53